We proposes to use human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiated into neural progenitor/stem cells (NPCs), but modified by transiently programming the cells with the transcription factor MEF2C to drive them more specifically towards dopaminergic (DA) neurons, representing the cells lost in Parkinson’s disease. We will select Parkinson’s patients that no longer respond to L-DOPA and related therapy for our study, because no alternative treatment is currently available. The transplantation of cells that become DA neurons in the brain will create a population of cells that secrete dopamine, which may stop or slow the progression of the disease. In this way, moderate to severely affected Parkinson’s patients will benefit.
The impact of development of a successful cell-based therapy for late-stage Parkinson’s patients would be very significant. There are approximately one million people in the United States with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and about ten million worldwide. Though L-DOPA therapy controls symptoms in many patients for a period of time, most reach a point where they fail to respond to this treatment. This is a very devastating time for sufferers and their families as the symptoms then become much worse. A cell-based therapy that restores production of dopamine and/or the ability to effectively use L-DOPA would greatly improve the lives of these patients. Because of our extensive preclinical experience and the clinical acumen of our Disease Team, we will be able to quickly adapt our procedures to human patients and be able to seek an IND from the FDA within four years.

Statement of Benefit to California:

It is estimated that the cost per year for a Parkinson’s patient averages over $10,000 in direct costs and over $21,000 in total cost to society (in 2007 dollars). With nearly 40 million people in California and with one in 500 estimated to have Parkinson’s (1.5-2% of the population over 60 years of age), there are approximately 80,000 people in California with Parkinson’s disease. Thus, Parkinson’s disease is a significant burden to California, not to mention the devastating effect on those who have the disease and their families. A therapy that could halt the progression or reverse Parkinson’s disease would be of great benefit to the state and its residents. It would be particularly advantageous if the disease could be halted or reversed to an early stage, since the most severe symptoms and highest costs of care are associated with the late stages of the disease. Cell-based therapies offer the hope of achieving this goal.

Progress Report:

A distinguished group of scientists was assembled by Dr. Stuart Lipton to plan a strategy to develop a human embryonic stem cell line expressing a constitutively active form of the transcription factor MEF2 (MEF2CA) into a therapeutic for treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD), as funded by this planning grant. Preliminary data presented showed directed differentiation of the stem cells into mature dopaminergic cells and a positive outcome, histologically, electrophysiologically and behaviorally, when transplanted into a rat model. The salient features of the preliminary data show that the cells showed a strong propensity to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons, remaining endogenous dopaminergic neurons were saved from death or recruited to synthesize more dopamine through trophic interactions, and the behavioral readout showed that the rats’ neuromotor deficits were improved. An additional feature of the transplanted cells produced by the presented strategy was that none of the MEF2CA-expressing cells were hyperproliferative, indicating that tumor formation will not be a problem with their use. A strategy to further develop the cells under GMP conditions, test in rat and monkey models of PD and begin regulatory compliance for FDA approval was developed. Importantly, insertion of the Mef2CA gene in the stable stem cell line was verified by sequencing to occur at non-essential site of integration.